‘We’re on target to clinch series’

Hamilton: Unperturbed by India’s remarkable come-from-behind performance in the thrilling tied third ODI, New Zealand wicket-keeper Luke Ronchi said with a comfortable 2-0 lead, the hosts are well on course to win the five-match ODI series.

New Zealand just need one win out of the two remaining ODIs to seal the series, and Ronchi exuded confidence of achieving the target.

“We didn’t lose in Auckland. We obviously would have liked to win. I think a tie was pretty fair result since both sides played some good cricket. It was a serious game of cricket to watch and be a part of. I think it was a fair result in the end,” he said ahead of the fourth ODI here Tuesday.

“We are still playing good cricket and still in a good mind frame, we have to keep going that way. We are very much on target to clinch series,” he said.

New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum and coach Mike Hesson had rued the chances missed by them in the tied third game, and Ronchi impressed upon the need to make them count.

“There are a lot of different things that you can pick on since one run was the difference of winning or losing for both teams. There were opportunities missed in the field with catching and stumping and all of that.

“With batting, you sort of think you could have picked up a run here or there maybe. There are so many different situations where you can think we could have made one run there. But we need to look forward,” Ronchi said.

Meanwhile, openers Hamish Rutherford and Peter Fulton have pulled out of the two-day practice game between New Zealand XI and the visiting Indians ahead of the two-match Test series next month.

The practice game will be played at Whangarei on February 2-3.

Fulton and Rutherford decided to pull out in favour of playing for their provinces in the Plunket Shield, New Zealand's domestic first class championships. (PTI)